The Parthenon Metopes

Where is the Parthenon located?

Athens, Greece

How many metopes were on The Parthenon?

92 metopes

Who oversaw the project of sculpting the Parthenon?

Pheidias

What were the themes of the metopes?

Each side had a different theme all related to the glory of Athens.

West: Battle of the Greeks and Amazons

North: The Trojan War

East: Olympian gods fighting giants

South: Centaurs battled the Lapiths

Why was the Centauromachy chosen as a theme?

It could be interpreted as an allusion the Persian Wars. The Ancient Greeks associated the barbaric nature of the Centaurs with the Persians. Therefore showing the superiority of the civilised over the barbaric, a key theme in Ancient Greece.

Scholarly Quote

What does Pedley say about the metopes of the Parthenon?

‘All are vivid metaphors for the conquest of the barbaric by the civilised’

What is this metope called?

XXVI (South 26)

What material is this metope made from?

Pentelic marble

When is this metope dated to?

447-442 BC

How tall is this metope? And how wide? Give in metres

1.2m high

1.25m wide

What type of composition is this? What is its effect?

Chiastic triangular composition with both figures creating a series of diagonals through their poses.

It draws attention to the point of contact between the figures.

What is successful about this metope? (3 Points)

• Chiaroscuro effect created through shadows on the deep relief

• Idealised and exaggerated abdominal muscles of the Lapith

• Triangular composition

What is unsuccessful about this metope? (4 Points)

• Centaur’s shoulders/arms/neck are unrealistic with his flattened face

• Blank expanse behind the centaur creates awkward space

• Unity of scale issues e.g. the Centaur is too small compared to the Lapith, he has very short legs

• The drapery of the L:a pith is very flat with very shallow relief

Scholarly Quote:

What does Woodford say about the South 26 metope?

Centaur→ ‘his flattened face is crude and ill-executed’

What is this metope called?

XXVII (South 27)

What material is this metope made from?

Pentelic marble

When is this metope dated to?

447-442 BC

How tall is this metope? And how wide? Give in metres

1.2m high

1.25m wide

How is the composition of this metope successful?

The opposition of the two figures pulling away from each other fills the metope, solving any awkward space issues.

There bodies are in opposing arcs showing energy going outwards.

What is successful about the figure of the Lapith in South 27? (4 Points)

• The deep folds of the Lapiths cloaks make catenary shapes framing his muscular body and filling the centre of the metope effectively. It also reinforces the Lapiths as elegant and civilised.

• The Lapiths anchored and open pose show him as victorious→ Athenian men would identify with the Lapiths

• Defined and integrated abdominal muscles display his clear arête

• The Lapith appears to be leaping from the metope with his right leg appearing to float mid air→ Effective depth as his leg overlaps with the Centaur’s body→ Solves issues of visibility

How is detail created in the figure of the Centaur in South 27? (1 Point)

Contracted pose of struggle→ e.g. Tensed abdominals, arm held back, unstable hoof lifted in pain→ Presents him as helpless and vulnerable to the Lapiths strength reinforcing him as the winner

Scholarly Quote:

What does Woodford say about South 27?

‘The dynamic opposition of the two figures cleverly carries the design out to the sides of the metope’

Scholarly Quote:

What does Osbourne say about South 27?

‘Note the skill with which the Lapith has been carved virtually free of the background’

Scholarly Quote:

What does Neer say about South 27?

‘Lapith and Centaur splay dramatically, their legs- human and animal- symmetrical in juxtaposition’

What is this metope called?

XXVIII (South 28)

What material is this metope made from?

Pentelic marble

When is this metope dated to?

447-442 BC

How tall is this metope? And how wide? Give in metres

1.2m high

1.25m wide

What is successful about the figure of the Lapith in South 28?

Noble pose of defeat e.g. arched back and neck form a ‘W’ shape, he is turned at an angle towards the viewer

What is successful about the figure of the Centaur in South 28?

His pose is barbaric and hubristic compared to that of Lapith.

Dynamic pose of victory with his arms spread wide dominating the metope

Scholarly Quote:

What does Woodford say about South 28?

‘Poignant and moving image’